“AJ, wait! Alexandra?”
Lyons expelled a breath of air. “I screwed that up. She’s bringing a toy gun to a war zone. Do you think she’ll try to find out who’s making MCR?”
“Guaranteed. You just threw down the gauntlet by demanding she leave it alone. She’s your daughter. What do you think?”
“Did you catch the part about her not wanting to learn how to use a gun until recently?”
“Hard not to. If we’re lucky, we’ll solve the case before she gets up to speed.”
“Hope so. Any bodyguards in the magical community? One that knows how to use a Gatling gun?”
“That weapon’s a touch old-school,” Rowan said, “but I get your drift. I’ve a better idea. I’m guessing if either one of us shows up to shadow her, she’ll bolt. I’ll ask my brother to keep an eye on her. If she stumbles onto something that’s connected to the Wizard killings, he’ll be there to protect her.”
****
Rowan finished his call to his brother in time to see Morgan head in his direction.
Just the anticipation of her drawing near raised his body temperature and singed the grass at his feet.
Lyons elbowed Rowan in the ribs. “She’s an enchanting woman.”
“Interesting choice of words.”
Lyons winked and lowered his voice. “And the way you look at her should be R-rated. You two a couple?”
“Wizards don’t play by the same rules as humans. No marriages. No taking the kids to football and swim practice. No happily ever after.”
“Ever wish you did? You know, play by human rules?”
He felt the weight of hesitation. If he was honest with himself, the one thing he felt humans got right was when they created healthy, loving families. He didn’t know if he’d ever fathered a son or daughter, and that pain was a constant ache. He would have liked to know, and even more, would have liked to help raise the child.
“Too much trouble,” he managed, using the phrase he always used when asked. It sounded hollow even in his ears. When Morgan was only a few feet away, she turned a warm smile toward Lyons, who gave an almost imperceptible nod. Rowan narrowed his gaze. “How do you know each other?”
Before Lyons could answer, two policemen pulled him aside to ask about another case. Rowan seized the opportunity to talk to Morgan alone and motioned for her to follow him toward an iron structure on the perimeter of Gas Works Park.
She folded her arms. “We are not doing this. To answer your glare, yes. Detective Lyons and I know each other.”
“Defineknow?”
“I’ll answer with a human expression that fits. Bite me.”
Rowan counted to ten. He was behaving like a jealous lover and it annoyed the hell out of him. He gritted his teeth. “So what did you find out?”
“I couldn’t find proof, but I suspect that the murders of my sisters are connected to that of the male Wizard here.”
“My conclusion as well. Do you think it’s a rogue Wizard, on a power trip or for revenge? There’s also a drug that has been present in the case of the male Wizards. Maybe some kind of poison.”
Morgan glanced in the direction of the shore where the body lay. It was being lifted onto a stretcher and wheeled to the ambulance, but Rowan had the impression she was looking beyond the crime scene.
“I wish it were that simple,” she said. “Is there someplace secure we can meet later tonight? It would not be wise for humans to overhear our conversation.”
“There’s a restaurant in Pike Place Market. The Inferno. It’s owned and operated by a member of the magical community, Colin, and he runs it like a neutral zone. But I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
“Yes, you are.”
Rowan reached for her arm, considering asking one of the policemen if he could borrow a pair of handcuffs. He figured it was the one sure way to keep track of her. The woman had no concept of danger. He lifted his hand to get someone’s attention.
Morgan smiled and put her hand on his shoulder. “I’ll meet you there after midnight. You have my word.”
